Living in Israel

 

Moving to Israel is no easy step. Many of you have recently moved from the comfort of your home, wherever it may be, and must now find a new living arrangement – a rather stressful procedure. That’s why we are here for you! Here is some information we gathered to ease this process for you, yet note these are suggestions and it would be advised to verify all information personally.

IDC Housing

When applying to IDC you are given the option of residing in an “IDC apartment” which is one of the many apartments IDC sublets for students around the city of Herzeliya. This option is also given to students in the second and third years of their studies.

“IDC apartments” are typically rented out for students in groups of 3-6, with a shared kitchen, living room, and bathroom. For an additional payment a student can receive a room with an attached bathroom. All apartments are furnished with sofas, a coffee table, and a dinning table in the shared living room area, a refrigerator, cooking platter and washing machine in the shared kitchen area, and a single bed, a desk, chair, and closet in the private bedroom.

The sublease is paid directly to the IDC Housing Department which includes rent, municipal taxes (called “Arnona” in Hebrew), and maintenance fees. For more information on discounts on Arnona see the welfare page. 

Nonetheless the sublease does not include any utility bills such as water, electricity, gas, telephone, etc. Students are also responsible for setting up and paying for their own internet connection.

For more information about IDC housing please contact the housing coordinators:

Tip: IDC Housing is a more of a communal way of living and therefore we recommend that you and your flatmates decide on a method to pay all bills in advance such that the responsibility is equal.

Linda Goldstein
RRIS.housing@idc.ac.il 972-9-952-7657

Finding Your Own Apartment

If you decide that IDC housing isn’t really for you and you want to find your own place for the year, whether on your own or with flatmates, be prepared for some hunting. The ability to speak Hebrew is a great plus when looking for apartments!

The most common way by which students look for apartments is through the various online notice-board websites that are mostly, if not entirely, in Hebrew.

Here are some of Israel’s popular notice-board sites:

The student union also offers an online notice-board aimed specifically at IDC students. This is accessible on the student union website at www.myidc.org.il.

Another method by which you could use the internet to find an apartment, or alternatively flatmates for an apartment, is through groups on Facebook. Often students post messages on the RRIS groups’ walls concerning apartments they have found or flatmates needed, making it an effective tool!

You could always go for the classic way of finding an apartment, which is also the easiest yet most costly one as well – real estate agencies. You will find real estate agencies scattered around all of the city of Herzeliya, where agents will gladly assist you in finding an apartment suitable for you. This option would be best for those who do not speak Hebrew whatsoever!

Tip: You should note that in Israel the norm is that the occupier is the one who pays the agent’s fee (usually equivalent to one month’s rent + VAT), rather than the landlord as customary in other countries, so keep this in mind when approaching an agent!
 
Setting up the Internet

In Israel for a domestic internet connection you need two providers: an infrastructure provider (the modem and telephone line) and a service provider (the user-name and password provider). It is easy to make the mistake of getting one provider and not the other, therefore make sure you know which company is providing what.

Tip: Internet companies can be negotiable about the price, so don’t hesitate to bargain and do mention you are a student! Also many internet provider companies have what they call a “bundle” package which is one where you are given a single price for the services of both providers per month which is paid in one transaction, so you may want to ask for that.

Here are some of the main internet providers:

Note that often these companies offer packages that have a minimal contractual period of 12 months or more, where you will be charged for each month whether you use the internet or not. When you are about to leave for a lengthy vacation in the summer for example, call your provider up and see if you can freeze your line for a month or so and continue it when you come back, they may be willing to come your way!

• Bezequint: www.Bezeqinet.net  1800 014 014
• Hot: www.hot.net.il   *6900
• Netvision: www.013netvision.net.il   1800 013 013
• 012Smile  www.Smile.net.il   1800 012 012

If you would like to have a landline in your apartment, below you will find a list of telecommunication providers. Often in order to have an internet connection you will need to maintain a telephone line, the company which provides this line is also the infrastructure provider. You should note that you will be expected to pay a one-time fee for the installation.

If you would like to have a landline in your apartment, below you will find a list of telecommunication providers. Often in order to have an internet connection you will need to maintain a telephone line, the company which provides this line is also the infrastructure provider. You should note that you will be expected to pay a one-time fee for the installation

These are Israel’s main providers:
• Bezeq: www.bezeq.co.il  1800 800 199
• Kavei Zahav  www.Bezeq.co.il   *3012
• HOT  www.HOT.net.il   *6900
Tip: If you would like to use a landline for the sole purpose of using the internet, call your provider to ask for such a limited line which may be cheaper!

Setting up Cable/ Satellite TV

Israel has two main satellite and cable providers that offer several programme packages including a wide range of international and English-speaking channels.

These two providers are:
• HOT   www.Hot.net.il   *6900
• YES   www.yes.co.il

You should note that even without HOT or YES you should be able to receive Israel’s basic public access channels: 1, 2, and 10 (all Hebrew speaking).

In Israel there is mandatory television tax which is imposed on anyone who possesses a television set. The television tax or Agra-in Hebrew is paid to the Israeli Broadcasting Association and usually amounts to an annual fee of approximately 400NIS. For more information on the Agra fee go on: www.iba.org.il/gvia.

Tip: If you are an Oleh Chadash or someone with Oleh rights you may deserve a certain discount! Don’t forget to mention you are a student throughout for more favourable prices!

 
Paying Your Bills:

Water:
In Israel every municipality has its own way of administrating water consumption and billing for its water and sewage services. In some cities the water bill is part of the municipal taxes otherwise known as Arnona, paid to the municipality itself, and in other municipalities water is billed separately and is paid to an independent company. Therefore don’t be surprised if you get a separate water bill, or alternatively if you don’t get a water bill you can be sure it is in your Arnona. The water bill is bi-monthly; it should arrive every two-three months!

If you move into a rented apartment in Herzeliya it is advisable to transfer the bill under your name at the city-hall or Iriya-in Hebrew. This typically requires bringing your lease agreement with you for approval. The process of transferring the water bill under your name is different in every city, therefore it is recommended to check online based on the city you live in. Note – This paragraph is not relevant for those living in IDC housing!

You should note that in Israel a dud shemesh, or solar-heated tank, is used for heating water. This tank is located on the roof of your building. In order to have hot water on a cloudy day make sure you turn the “boiler” on 30-60 minutes before needed.

Paying your water bill is rather easy. You may select the payment method best for you from the following options:
• Credit card transaction- Read the bill for details
• Standing bank order- Rather than paying the bill every time, you may order the sum to be deducted from your account. Read the bill for further instructions
• Cash (via the post office)- Go to the nearest post offcei branch (visit www.israelpost.co.ilfor branch information) and simply pay the cash amount 
Note: Don’t forget Israel is in the midst of a water crisis! Israel cannot afford to waste any water therefore be responsible with your water consumption!

Gas:
Israel has three main gas companies. Aside from being used to power your gas stove, gas may also be used in your apartment as a heating method depending on your heating system. According to the bill you receive you can find out which company your apartment is registered to:
• PazGas  wwwpazgaz.co.il  *9636; Emergency Line- 1800 667 788
• Amisra Gas  www.amisragas.co.il  1700 701 702; Emergency Line- 03 641 7274
• Super Gas www.supergas.co.il *3114; Emergency Line- 1800 347 826

Just like your other bills the gas bill is bi-monthly and can be paid in the following methods:
– Credit Card- Read bill for further instructions or pay online via the company’s web-site.
– Standing bank order-Read bill for further instructions.
–Cash (Via post office) Depending on the gas provider you may either pay your bill in cash at the post office, or at the nearest branch to you.

Attention: If you suspect a gas leak in your apartment, call your company’s emergency line immediately, open the windows, and leave your apartment as soon as possible!
 
Electricity:
Israel has one main electricity provider nation-wide. Once again if you don’t live in IDC housing, and are moving into a new apartment, it is advisable to transfer the bill under your name to avoid confusion. It is particularly simple to do so with the Israel Electric company, all you have to do is as follows:
1. Read the current measure in the apartment’s electricity meter
2. Call 103
3. Provide the following details: Contact number (available at the top left corner of the bill), your name, ID Number, and the current measurment

You should note that your electricity bill is also bi-monthly. You can pay it in the following methods:
• Credit card- Online at www.israel-electric.co.il or by phone- call 103
• Standing bank order Read bill or go online for details
• Cash (via post office)
 
Arnona - Municipal Taxes:
Arnona is the term for municipal taxes in Israel. The price of the Arnona varies in accordance with the size of your property and its location.
Note: If you live in IDC Housing your sublease includes Arnona and house committee (Va’ad Bayit) fees, therefore this section is not relevant for you!
The Arnona bill is bi-monthly. In the case that you move into a new apartment it is essential that you transfer the Arnona bill to your name, in order to avoid paying for the previous tenant’s debts. To do so you must visit your local municipality. Make sure you bring your leasing agreement with you!
You can pay your Arnona bill in the following methods:
– Online depending on your municipality’s website, or by phone (dial 03-9275803 if you reside in Herzeliya, service available 24 hours).
– Visit your municipality’s website for details.
– Depending on your municipality you may be able to pay your bill in the post office or alternatively at your municipality’s cashier desk.
You should note that you may apply for a student discount on your arnona payments at the municipality Applications are accepted from January 1st until August.
For assistance with this process contact:

Va’ad Bayit – Maintenance Fees:
Va’ad Bayit is the term Israelis give the maintenance fees of an apartment building, such as the cleaning of the stairway, elevator maintenance, gardening fees, etc. This is therefore relevant only for those who live in apartment buildings. If you are renting an apartment you will be expected to pay Va’ad Bayit to your landlord!

Each building has a Va’ad Bayit committee that handles the building’s maintenance, which is the one that charges Va’ad Bayit fees from the tenants. These fees are typically paid in cheques or cash in monthly instalments directly to the Va’ad Bayit committee, or to the landlord, depending on the agreement.
Tip: Certain web-sites are available which allow you to pay most of your bills, including Arnona or even parking tickets, using your credit card, free of commission! In this way you can pay all your bills at once without having to leave your house!
Visit www.mybills.co.il or www.citypay.co.il for this service.

 
Opening a Bank Account

Opening a bank account is a rather simple process. All you must do is choose the bank you would like to join, visit the nearest branch, and create an account! You should know that most banks offer student accounts that have favourable benefits and rates for students. In order to open a student account you must provide a student ID or an acceptance letter from IDC, so come equipped with one!

Here is a list of Israel’s main banks:
Bank Hapoaloim-www.bankhapoalim.co.il 
Bank Leumi- www.leumi.co.il
Israel Discount Bank- www.discountbank.co.il 
Mercantile Discount Bank- www.mercantile.co.il 
First International Bank of Israel www.fibi.co.il 
Mizrahi- Tefahot www.mizrahi-tefahot.co.il

Tip: If you have Oleh Chadash rights, and deserve the “absorption basket” it would be advised to open a bank account as soon as possible in order to receive the monetary benefits.

 
Getting a Mobile Phone

Getting a mobile phone in Israel is easy and quick. All you must do is decide which provider you would like to use and approach a sales-point typically located within many of the shopping-malls.
At the sales-point a representative will assist you in choosing your plan, which is typically based on a set quantity of minutes and texts. Note once again that a “student plan” may be available, therefore do ask if you are interested in one! Just as true for the bank, in order to receive the student plan or alternatively a discount you must show your student ID or letter of acceptance, so bring it with you.

These are the major mobile network providers:
Orange, (054) www.orange.co.il 
Cellcom (052) www.cellcom.co.il 
Pelephone (050) www.pelephone.co.il 
Mirs (057) www.mirs.co.il

Tip: Before signing a contract, we recommend that you verify the specified service-commitment that you are signing on for. You will have to pay for the full duration of the contract.

 
Healthcare

Although typically not the favourite topic of students, healthcare is a vital aspect of surviving anywhere. It is mandatory for all IDC students to have health insurance coverage throughout the entire duration of studies. It would be advised to verify all information with the corresponding authorities according to you personal case.

Kupat Holim – Healthcare clinics:
According to the National Health Insurance law, every resident of Israel, including new immigrants and temporary residents (depending on the status), is entitled to health insurance coverage. This insurance coverage allows for a membership in one of Israel’s four health funds called “Kupot Holim” in Hebrew. This insurance is carried out through the monthly payment of premiums to the National Insurance Institute. If you are an Israeli national, a returning Israeli national, an oleh chadash, or a temporary (A/1) resident, you are entitled to such insurance. If you do not fall under one of these categories you may need to provide your own private health insurance (see “Hilit” for more info.) otherwise check your entitlement with the authorities. The payment of insurance premiums to the National Insurance Institute (known as “Bituach Leumi”) varies according to your status. Olim chadashim, otherwise
known as new immigrants, receive a voucher along with their teudat oleh entitling them to six months of free health care coverage. Seek Misrad Haklita or your Aliyah guide for more details. Temporary (A/1) residents however do not receive this privilege and must pay premiums according to income. The payment of premiums by returning Israeli citizens also varies according to the specific status therefore contact “Misrad Haklita” for further details on benefits payments.

To join a Kupat Holim you must follow a specific process that is described to you at the Misrad Haklita. This process includes a visit to your local Bituach Leumi Institute where you will have to fill a request form specifying the Kupat Holim you would like to join. 

Israel’s four Kupot Holim are:
• Clalit  www.clalit.co.il
• Maccabi: maccabi-health.co.il
• Meuchedit: Meuchedit.co.il
• Leumit: Leumit.co.il
You should note that your Kupat Holim membership may not be valid immediately! It may take a few months for you to be a member depending on your status, Bituach Leumi or Misrad Haklita will notify you of your waiting period. In the case of a long waiting period it would be recommended to have an alternative health insurance.

“Hilit”
For those who are not entitled to Kupat Holim coverage, IDC offers a private health insurance policy through the Hilit Insurance Agency for an annual membership fee of $500. Hilit specializes in working with foreigners and therefore provides medical services in Hebrew and English 24 hours a day, including weekends and holidays. When purchasing an insurance policy through Hilit you will receive an insurance card containing your policy number with which you may call the medical centre with any medical problem or concern. You should note that IDC simply recommends Hilit as an external organisation and therefore takes no responsibility for its services. For more information consult your “Acceptance Booklet” or contact the RRIS offices.
 
Emergency Services:
In cases of emergency call Magen David Adom (MDA) at 101 MDA provides all emergency services including first aid and ambulance services. Note that MDA services are provided for a fee, depending on your insurance you may be partially reimbursed for this fee
Police-100 
Fire fighting services– 102 
Israel electric corp.– 103 
Municipal call center- 106

Safety Tips:

Beach Hazards:
We would like to point out that the Herzeliya beach strip is known to be particu- larly treacherous due to a lack of breakwaters and a particular current that has proved to be hazardous. We therefore strongly advise you to be attentive to the instructions of the lifeguards while in the water and enter the water only during the lifeguards’ working hours.

State of Emergency Alarms:
Emergency alarms characterized by an up-and-down tone are projected city-wide in the event of an emergency. When these alarms are turned on, you are to go into a protected room called “Mamad” or an underground-protected shelter called “Miklat”. For more information please visit www.oref.org.il. Please note that once or twice a year Israel runs emergency alarm drills which will be warned of in advance, therefore do not panic in such an event.

Driving in Israel

In Israel a foreign driver’s license is valid for only one year from the date of entry into Israel. This is true for temporary residents, new immigrants, and returning residents. The period during which one may convert his driver’s license into an Israeli one varies according to his official status. New immigrants may convert their overseas driver’s license within three years from their aliyah date; nonetheless driving with such a license is legal for only one year. Temporary and returning residents may only convert their foreign driver’s license within one year from arrival. Returning residents may convert their foreign driver’s license given they have resided abroad for a minimum of six months, while the license must have been issued at least six months before arriving at Israel.

Converting Your License
The process of converting a foreign driver’s license is somewhat lengthy as it entails a series of medical examinations, bureaucracy, and tests which vary, once again, according to your status. It would be advised to check your specific requirements with the Licensing Bureau (“Misrad HaRishui”) either up front in Holon or by phone at *5678.
  
 
Student Authority Assistance

Student Authority, or in Hebrew “Minhal Ha’Studentim” is an organisation which offers financial assistance to students in the form of a tuition subsidy. If you are a new immigrant (oleh chadash), the child of new immigrants, an immigrant citizen, or a returning minor (katin choser) you deserve such a tuition subsidy equivalent to approximately one year of tuition in an Israeli university. Once again it would be advised to verify your entitlement with the MinhalHa’Studentim itself prior. Note that the subsidy will not cover the tuition requirements of IDC Herzeliya and therefore you will be responsible for financing the difference.

Note: Minhal Ha’Studnetim accepts requests for assistance only until mid-December. Make sure you collect all documents in advance!

Candidates for assistance must present the following documents when applying:
• high school diploma
• Letter of acceptance to IDC
• One passport photo
• Authorization of dererral from IDF or discharge papers
• Valid teudat zehut or teudat za’kaut

Once you have collected these documents present them at Minhal Ha’Studentim at Ester Hamalka St. 6, Tel Aviv. Again, we would advise you to verify no other documents are necessary in your case with the MinhalHa’studentim itself. For more information visit:www.moia.gov.il/StudentsOlim/

Learning Hebrew

Learning Hebrew is a process that takes time, but with some dedication and perseverance you could speak the language within months! There are several ulpan options close to you, and even in IDC itself. 

Here is a list of the ulpan options relevant for you:
- Ulpan classes in IDC: IDC offers the RRIS students ulpan classes that fit into students’ timetables and for which they are examined in the end of the semester. There are several ulpan levels, therefore students are tested to see which level they belong to.
- IDC summer ulpan: In the summer months IDC offers a more intensive ulpan at a fee, which is open for students as well as tourists and olim chadashim.
- Ulpan Gordon: One of the more popular ulpanim situated in Tel Aviv, Gordon runs both in the morning and in the evenings.
- Ulpan Or: With branches in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, Ulpan Or offers 1-2 week sessions as well as longer ones, depending on your needs.

DISCLAIMER:
The content of this page is for the sole purpose of assisting RRIS students and is of a suggestive nature. The Student Union does not assume responsibility for any wrong or misleading information, while it does not wish to promote any organization mentioned, but simply aid students in integrating their lives in Israel.